Google Earth Pro is now free

alpro · 31 Jan 2015, 23:19

Yep Google Earth Pro is now free
http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2015/01/google-earth-pro-is-now-free.html

pilou · 1 Feb 2015, 11:34

Cool news!

Aerilius · 2 Feb 2015, 14:34

Is that the death of Google Earth?
Like SketchUp (and many other products) it was created by an external company, "Keyhole". As a client program it fits not much into Google's web app portfolio. They integrated much mainstream functionality into the web/mobile Google Maps. It would be interesting what happens with the more professional GIS-like features, would they for ever keep up developing a client application? Would they sell it off to become again a Pro tool? Without a price that fate is rather unlikely.

Anton_S · 2 Feb 2015, 17:42

Maybe Google has become very rich and decided to give away products fo free. I don't know about Aerilius, but I am kinda for it

pbacot · 2 Feb 2015, 20:52

I guess the question is, making it free means they aren't spending money on it, and if it gets broke might rather phase it out than fix it? I guess it depends on if they are getting money out it some other ways, for example proprietary services to high-roller organizations.

utiler · 2 Feb 2015, 22:31

This is really good news!!! Higher res images for all!!!!

Krisidious · 2 Feb 2015, 23:09

really? nice...

juju · 3 Feb 2015, 10:34

Don't ask me where or when, but I recently read that it seems that Google Earth will be discontinued (fairly soon) and they are moving focus to Google Maps. Making GE Pro free seems to lend legitimacy to that.

But hey, I already installed GE Pro, hopping to get the most out of it until further notice.